Mérida, Yucatán —Locust return with intensity every four years. This is one of those years.
The Schistocerca piceifrons, or Central American locust, is one of the oldest agricultural pests in southeastern Mexico.
Although it is present in 14 states — all along the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific Ocean — its presence is mainly in the state of Yucatan. In the eastern part of the state, 19 municipalities, covering an approximate area of 420,000 hectares, battle the locust.
A joint effort between federal, state and municipal authorities with the state Committee of Plant Protection of Yucatán (CESVY) and the participation of farmers and agriculture and livestock associations has mitigated any harm.
The CESVY on Monday held a coordination meeting with those in charge of the four Rural Development Districts as well as the health programs of state agriculture and livestock ministry, or SAGARPA.
The various actions to control the locust plague involves hunting down locust breeding grounds, biological control and education.
The CESVY reported that the fungal insecticide Metharhizium acridium, which is used to control locust and grasshoppers, is environmentally safe. In the United States, M. acridium is under USDA study for use in the West.
Source: Press Release
